Photographic camera.



C. E. HUTCHINGS. PHOTOGRAPHIG CAMERA.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 22, 1906.

Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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C. E. HUTGHINGS.

PHOTOGRAPHIG CAMERA.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. 22, 1906.

Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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flmm s LVi-Wmoea C. E. HUTGHINGS. PHOTOGRAPHIG CAMERA.

Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

it aooaa UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. HUTCHINGS, OF ROCHESTER, YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS, TO EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHAR ES E. .HUTCH- mos, of Rochester, inthe countyof Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Photographic Cameras; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thespecification, and to the reference-numerals marked thereon.

My present invention relates to improvements in cameras, and moreespecially to the type wherein the image from the lens is reflected on ascreen so located that it may be viewed without disturbing the positionof the sensitized medium, and the object of this invention is to providean improved camera of this type wherein the focusing thereof with theaid of the view finder is facilitated, and the operation of the shutterand the reflector embodying part of the focusing device are' 'so relatedand controlled that the exposures may be made in the best manner.

To these and other ends the invention consists in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endof the specification.

In the drawings: Figure l is a side elevation of the exterior-of acamera constructed in accordance with my present invention. Fig. 2represents a vertical section of the camera with the parts in positionfor viewfinding and focusing. Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views similarto Fig. 2 showing respectively the positions of the parts immediatelyafter the release of the reflector and before the closing of theshutter, and the relative position of the parts after the exposure hasbeen completed. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 4, showing theparts in position for a time exposure. Fig. 6 is a perspective view ofthe under side of the frame supporting the detachable hood adapt ed tobe employed for view-finding and focusing. Fig. 7 is a perspective viewof the camera showing the attaching devices arranged to cooperate withthe hood frame, and also showing the chamber adapted to contain thesensitized medium. Fig. 8 is a detail section showing the bellows andcooperating parts in collapsed position, and

Fig; 9 is a detail view of the time exposure Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed October 22, 1906.

Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

Serial No. 339,911. I

stop. Figs. 10 and 11 are detail sections through the camera casingshowing two positions of the time exposure stop. I

Similar reference numerals in the several figures indicate similarparts. The camera shown in the present embodiment of my inventioncomprises a box or casing 1 so constructed as to exclude light, andhaving a chamber formed therein to contain the parts of the shuttermechanism and the view-finding reflector, a septum 2 being arranged inthe front of the box for positioning the lens, and the rear thereofbeing suitably adapted to receive the sensitized medium to be exposed.In the present instance the camera is arranged to receive the ordinaryfilm packs, the rear of the camera being provided with a door or panel 3which is preferably hinged at 4 to one side of the camera, and havingprojections 55 on its movable edge adapted to engage and cooperate withthe correspondingly-arranged spring'latches 6 secured to the cameraside, these latches being adapted to be engaged by the photographersfingers to disengage the projections and permit opening of the door orpanel. The latter serves to inclose the film pack between it and aflange 7 provided in the camera'in rear of the shutter, and a slot 8 isformed between the door and camera casing to permit the passage of thetabs of opaque material after each exposure.

The septum 2 in the front of the camera is provided with an aperture topermit passage in the cover plate by means of segmental plates 17 havingtheir inner edges resting in a circumferential groove 18 formed in theadjusting member. Rotation of the latter may be convenientlyaccomplished by manipulation of the exteriorly-arranged operatingportion thereof, and this serves to adjust the position of the lensinthe direction of its axis, rotation of the lens being prevented by thecooperative relation between the projection 11 and the slot 12.

The top of the camera casing is preferably detachable in order to renderthe interior parts of the camera accessible, and in the presentinstance, this removable top is utilized as the supporting frame 19 forthe focusing'or view-finder hood, the frame being provided at one edgewith projections 20 arranged to engage and disengage the recesses 21 ofthe casing by a relative tilting movement of the latter and the frame,and the free edge of the latter is detachably locked in position bycatches, embodying in the present instance locking plates 22 on theframe adapted to cooperate with the projections 23 formed on the springs24 secured to the camera casing, these catches being re ister with theheld in position'by the staples or projections the present instanceembodying a cover'33 readily disengaged from the locking plates bypressing the springs out of engagement therewith, while the beveledsurfaces on the locking projections serve to 'eflect a latching actionof the catches which automatically locks the frame when the latter ismoved into closed or fastened position. In order to insure the exclusionof light from the ioint be tween the frame and casing, the atter ispreferably provided with ribs 25 adapted to rooves 26 on the under si eof the detacha le frame, and if desired, pins 27 may be provided on thecasing and arranged to cooperate with the'recesses 28 of the-frame toinsure the security thereof and guide-these parts while moving intoengagement. This frame is provided with a recess 28* to receive andcontain a suitable focusing screen, an ordinary ground glass 29. beingemployed in the present instance which is 30, and this screen 1spreferably arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the opticalaxis of the lens in order that the camera may occupy a horizontalposition and. the image on the screen may be viewed from above.

To the upper surface of the frame 19 is secured a bellows 31 (see Fig.2) which surrounds the opening, through the frame, and the upper end ofthe bellows isprovided with a cap-32 having an observation aperturethrough which the imageon the ground glass or screen may be viewed. 0nthe frame 19 at one side of the bellows is mounted a devicev which, whenin closed position, serves to inclose the bellows between it and the topof the frame-19, and whichalso serves to operate the bellows, thisdevice in pivoted to the frame at 34 and having a spring 35 actingthereon to open the cover, that is to say, to move it into a positionsubstantially at right angles to the top of the camera,'and at that edgeof the .coveropposite to the hinged edge is provided a yoke 36,

the latter having its arms arranged on. opposite sides ofthe bellows andattached by the bearings 37 on the ends of these arms to the projections38 on the cap 32 of the bellows. The body portion of this yoke ispivotally attached by the hinge 39 to the cover, a spring 40 normallyoperating to swing the yoke in a position that will open or draw out thebellows into the position, shown in Fig. 2. Whenthe cover is closed andthe bellows is collapsed, a spring-actuated latch 41 on the frame servesto engage the notched projection 42 on the edge of the cover to retainthe latter in closed position, as shown in Fig. 8, so that the camera iscompact for transportation and the bellows and its cooperating parts areprotected. When it is desirable to bring the bellows into operation,

it is merely necessary to operate the latch 41 by the finger, and thiswill release the pro-. jection 42 and permit. the cover to swing intoopen position under the action of the spring 35, and the yoke 36 underthe action of its springwlll operate to draw out the bellows and hold itinextendedposition, and

this enables the photographer to obtain a view of the image on thescreen, in order that the picture to be taken may be placed as desiredon t he negative, and in order to enable the lens to be brought intofocus. The latter operation may be readily accomplished by rotation ofthe operating portion 15 of the lens-adjusting sleeve, the threadedenjust thelens in the direction of its axis.

Inthis application no claim is-made for the bellows and its operatingmechanism, as

l these parts form the'subject matter of a divisional application, filedby meon April 8, 1907, and serially numbered 366,940. During thefocusing'or view-finding operations, the-image from the lensis divertedfrom the originalaxis and directed on the screen by a suitable reflector'42 carried on a;

. gagement between the latter serving to admember 43 whichis'adjustable'so as to clear the optical field while the exposureisbeing made, an'd'in the present instance th s re flector controls andforms a part of a shutter for determining the exposures. of thesensitized medium. This member 43- is pivoted to the camera casing at 44and arranged 1 5 11 to swing into and out of cooperative relation with aseating 45, which surrounds the. light opening formed by the focusingscreen,

during the exposing operation, and is adapted to occupy a suitableposition such as that shown in Fig. 2 during the foeusing'or viewfindingoperation, the angular position of the reflector being such that theimage frou; the lens will be cast on the screen with th same focus andin similar arrangement as when it is directed on the sensitized medium,

This member is operated on by a spring'46' which. normally tends toswing the member clear of the optical field andinto engagement with theseating 45 so as to prevent entrance of light to the camera chamberthrough the screen, and this member is set in focusing position by meansof an arm 47 secured to a shaft 48 extending through the side of thecamera casing and provided with an exteriorly-arranged thumb piece oroperating handle 49, the'free end of the armbeing provided with a rolleror projection 50 arranged to coiiperate with the surface of the member.The latter is normally retained in such a position by means of a detent51 pivoted intermediately, as at 52 and having a roller or projection 53at one end arranged to cotiperate with the upper or forward surface-ofthe member, the opposite end of the detent being provided with a spring54 encircling a pin 55 on the detent and having its ends engagingrespectively the projection 56 on-the detent and the projection 57 onthe camera casing. Thisber occupies positions other than the focusingposition, and the detent is-provided with a lateral projection or bellcrank arm 58 arranged in the path of the roller or projection 50 on theeperating device, and when the latter is rotated in a reverse directionfrom thatrequired to set the member 43, the pro j-ection thereon willcoiiperate with the proj ection 58 of the detent, displacing the latterfrom a perpendicular position relativelyito the surface, or in otherwords, shifting it from its center and thus permitting the member 43 toswing into exposing position and against the seating 45 to exclude lightfrom thescreen. 1;

Mounted in coiiperative relation with the upper shutter member is alower member 59, the latter being pivoted to the casing at 60, aridprovided with a spring 61 which normally operates to move the lowermember upwardly or into engagement with the upper'mbmber, the forwardfree edge of the latter being arranged to cotiperate with and form alight tight fit with the upper surface of the lower member, a lightexcluding strip of felt or othersuitable material 62 being preferablyemployed to insure sealing of the joint. After an exposure hasbeeneffected, the shutter members occupy a position similar to that shown inFig. 4, and when the thumb piece 49 is operated to shift the reflectorinto focusing position, the forward edge of the uppermember 43depressesthe lower member 59 by its coiiperative engagement'with thelight-excluding strip thereon,

and therefore during and after the setting movements of theshutter-members the sensitized mediumis protected from light. The

lower shutter member moves downwardly until its forward edge passes theend of a latch 63, the latter being pivoted to the camera casing at 64and having a-portion'so shaped and arranged as to be engaged by aportion of the upper shutter member when the latter approaches the limitof its. upper movement, and thus serves to disengage its end'and therebyrelease the lower shutter member, allowing the latter to swing upwardlyuntil it .again coiiperates with the upper shutter; member. Theseshutter members when so set, are adapted to produce instantaneous or socalled snap shot exposures, the upper shutter member first movingupwardly and uncovering the lens so that it may expose the plate whilethe lower shutter member is detained in lowered positionby the latch 63,andithen immediately after thesaid latch has been engaged by the uppershutter member, it will release the .lower shutter member, permitting itto move a upwardlyv and terminate the exposure.-

Time exposures may be provided for by mounting a stop in the septum2 inan appropriatezposition toengagethe lower shutter member and detain itafterthe upper shutter member has operatedto begin the exposure, "thestop I employed in the present instance embodying a plate 64 -pivoted tothe septum at 65 andhaving a rounded-portion arranged to move into andout of-the :path of the adjacent edge of'the lower shutter member,alimiting projection 66 servmg to prevent undue movement thereof, and ithis stop is operated by a plunger'67 pivotally connected to-the plateat 68 and having anoperating portion '69 extending through and guidedin'the wall of the camera casing. A s ring 70 operateson this plunger tonorma ly move it-outwardly and thereby set the stop inoperativeposition,

and-when so set, the inclined relation of the surface of the lowershutter member engaging" the stop-causes a latching StCtIOH Of thelatter when the said shutter. member is moved time exposures may be-taken without re-- quiring resetting of-the stop for each exposure.'However, when instantaneous exposures areto be taken the-plunger 67 isheld in such a-position that the stop willclear the instance az pivotedbutton orplate 71'is pro vided cnthe exterior of-the camera casing andadapted -to retain :the plunger against the action of its spring.

:In making time exposures, the button 71 is moved aside'to release theplunger 67, the latter setting the stop in position to engage and retainthe lower shutter member, and by .into lowered position, so that aseries of,

lower shutter member, and 1n thepresent i rotating the thumb piece 49 inthe direction shown by the arrow in full lines in Fig. 6, the lowershutter member will be engaged by the latch 63 and by the time stop, andby reversing the direction of rotation of the thumb piece or turning itin the direction indicated by the dotted arrow in the same figure, thedetent 51 will be disengaged from the upper shutter member, permittingit to rise, beginning the exposure and disengaging the latch 63 from thelower shutter member so that the latter is then retained by the timestop. Whenever it is desired to terminate the exposure, this may beaccomplished by pressing the plunger 67. a i

The novel construction and arrangement of the shutter members insuresuniform exposure of all parts of the negative as both of the shuttermembers pass across the lens from the same side thereof and one inadvance of the other, the exposure in this respect being similar to thatobtained by the use of the so-called focal plane or flexible blindshutter, and by utilizing one of these shutters as a support for thereflector, the manipulation of a camera of the type herein shown ismaterially simplified and facilitated, as a single operation serves tomove the reflector out ofthe optical fieldand to efiect the exposure,and the setting of this reflector in focusing position also serves toSet the shutter in readiness for the exposure.

The novel construction and arrangement. of the focusing hood notonlyprovides a very compact form for the camera when not being used, but theautomatic opening and positioning devices for the bellows enables theoperator to quickly bring the camera into focusing condition, and thefocusing device for the lens may be conveniently manipulated from theexterior of the camera, although its parts are practically inclosedwithin the camera casing.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an optical device, the combination with a suitable casing having alens therein, of shutter members cooperating in set position tointerrupt light from the lens, and devices for operating themsuccessively from the same side of the optical field to admit andinterrupt the light from the lens.

2. In an optical device, the combination with a suitable casing having alens therein,

of a pair ofshutter members mounted .in cooperative relation with thelens, one of which is movable to permit the passage of light from thelens and the other of which is movable to interrupt the light; devicesfor moving the former of" said members across the field of the lens topermit the passage of light relatively to the lens, and devices forsubsequently operating the other shutter member across the-optical fieldto interrupt the passage of light.

3. In a camera, the combination with the camera casing having a lenstherein, and a focusing screen arranged out of line of the axis thereof,of shutter members cooperating in set position to interrupt light fromthe lens, means for operatingone of'said members transversely ofthefield of the lens to permit the passage of light relatively thereto, andinto a position to cover said screen, and devices for subsequentlyoperating another shutter member to interrupt the light.

4. In a camera, the combination with the camera casing having a' lenstherein and adapted to contain a sensitized medium in cooperativerelation therewith, and a'focusing screen arranged out of line withthesaid lens and medium, of a pair of shutter members normally arrangedto interrupt the light between the lens and sensitized medium, one beingmovable to permit the passage of light to the medium and the otherforoperating the former of said members to cover said screen and begin anexposure, and devices for causing the other member to operate toterminate the exposure.

5. In a camera, the combination with the camera casing having a lenstherein and suitable means for positioning asensitized medium incooperative relation therewith, of a pair of shutter members havingtheir edges normally in cooperative relation at either side ,of the lensto cut or the light from the latter, and arranged to operatesuccessively in a direction transversely of the field of the lens toeiiect an exposure of the sensi-' tized medium.

6. In a camera, the combination with the camera casing having a lenstherein, and

adapted to contain a suitably positioned sensitized medium, ofshuttermembers mounted in the casing havin'gjportions thereof normadly incooperative relation when said membersare both at one side of the fieldof the lens in set position, a light-excluding device on one of saidmembers and cooperating with a portion of the other member to preventpassage of light from the lens to the sensitized material, and devicesfor operating said members to effect exposures of the sensitized medium.

7. In a camera, the combination with the camera casing having'a lenstherein and adapted to contain a suitably positioned sensitized medium,of a pair ofshutter members pivotally mounted in said casing andarranged to swing in planes substantially parallel to the axis of thelens, portions of said members normally cooperating in set lation withthe other member to set the latter preparatory to an exposure, anddevices for successively operating said members across the (gaticalfield to eflect the exposure by the one sure by the one last moving.

9. The combination with a camera casing having a lens therein, andadapted to contam a sensitized medium, of a shutter mounted in thecasing embodying a pair of pivotal members, operating means for mov 1ngsaid members in one direction across the field of the lens, a settingdevice for moving one of said members into cooperative relation with theother member to set it pre paratory to an exposure, and devices forsuccesslvely releasing said members to eitect an exposure.

10. .The combination with a camera having a lens therein and adapted tocontain a suitably positioned sensitized medium, of a shutter embodyinga pair of relatively movable shutter members, means normally operatingto move said members across the o' tical field toward exposed position,means or settin the members preparatory to an exposure, an Idevices forsuccessively releasing said memers.

11. The combination with a camera having a lens therein and adapted tocontain a suitably positioned sensitized medium, of a shutter embodyinga pair of relatively movable shutter members, one of which is movable toeffect exposure and the other to, interrupt exposure, means normallyoperating to move said members across the optical field toward exposedposition, means for setting the members preparatory to an exposure, anda latch vfor retaining one of said members in set position andcontrolled by the movement of the other member toward exposed position.12. The combination with a camera having a lens therein and adapted tocontain a suitably positioned sensitized medium, of a shutter embodyinga pair of relatively movable shutter members, one of which is movable toeffect exposure and the other to interrupt exposure, means normallyoperating to move said members across the o tic-a1 field toward exposedposition, means or setting the members preparatory to an exposure, alatch for Holding one of said members in set position and arranged to bereleased by the'movement of the other member toward exposed position,and a releasing device for rdependently releasing one of said mem- 13.The combination with a camera having a lens therein and adapted tocontain a suitably positioned sensitized medium, of a shutrst moving andto interrupt the expo-- ter embodying a pair of relatively movableshutter members, means normallyoperatin to move said members across theoptical fiel toward exposed position, means tor setting the memberspreparatory to an exposure, an independent retainin device for eachmemher, one of said retaining devices being released by the movement ofthe opposing shutter member, and means for releasing the latter member..f

14,-. The combination with a camera casing having a lens therein andadapted to contain a suitably positioned sensitized medium, of a shutterembodying a pair of relatively movable shutter members, means forsetting them preparatory to an exposure, means for operating them toefiect an exposure, a latch for automatically holding one of said mem-'.bers in set position and arranged to be released by. engagement with apart on the opposing member after the latter has moved toward exposingposition, a detent for holding the latter member in set position, andmeans for releasing the said detent.

15. The combination with a camera casing having a lens therein andadapted to containa suitably positioned sensitized medium, of a shutterembodying a pair of relatively movable shut-ter members, a rotatable armhaving a portion for moving said members to set position preparatory toan exposure, and

a detent for preventing operation of saidmembers and having a portionarranged to be engaged by the operating arm when the latter is operatedto release it. v

16. The combination with a camera casing havin g a lens therein andadapted to contain a suitably ositioned sensitized medium, of a shutterem odying a pair of relat vely movable shutter members, an operatingdevice ,for setting the members in position preparatory to an exposure,a pivoted detent having a portion arranged to retain the shutter memberswhen the latter are moved to set position, said detent having a lateralro e c tion thereon arranged to be engaged y said operating device. torelease the shutter members.

17. The combination with a camera having a lens therein and adapted tocontam'a suitably positioned sensitized med1um,of relatively movableshutter members arranged therein, means'for settin them preparatory toan exposure, means 11 rmally operatmg to move them toward exposedosltion, a latch arranged to be released by t emovement of one of theshutter members for holding the opposite shutter in set position, and atime stop arranged to detain the last named shutter member after therelease of said latch.

18. The combination with a camera having a lens therein and adapted tocontain a suitably positioned sensitized med1um,of relatively movableshutter members arranged therein, means for setting them preparatory toan exposure, means normally operating to move them toward exposedposition, a latch arranged to be released by the movement of one of theshutter members for holding the opposing shutter in set position,'and atime stop having a latching engagement with the shutter member employingthe latch for detaining it after the release of the latter.

19. The combination with a camera having a lens therein-and adapted tocontain a suitably positioned sensitized medium, of relatively movableshutter members arranged therein, means for setting them preparatory toan exposure, means normally operating to move them toward exposedposition, a latch arranged to be released by the movement of one of theshutter members for holding the opposing shutter in set position, and atime stop embodying a pivoted plate having a latching engagementwith theshutter member employing said latch, a plunger connected to the saidplate and having a portion operable from the exterior of the cameracasing, a spring normally operating to hbld the stop. in operativeposition, and a device accessible from the exterior of the camera casingfor retaining the plunger to hold the,

stop out of operation.

20. The combination with a camera casing having a lens therein andadapted to position a sensitized medium in cooperative relationtherewith, and a screen" arran ed in the easing out ofline with the axis0 the lens, of a shutter for controlling the exposures embodying tworelatively movable members cooperating in set position to interruptlight from the lens, one of said members arranged to coverthe saidscreen when it is in exposingposition, and a device movable with saidmember in both directions for directing the rays from the lens on saidscreen when the member is in focusing position.

21 The combination with a camera casing having a lens therein andadapted to position a sensitized medium in cooperative relationtherewith, and av screen arranged in the casing out of line with theaxis of the lens, of a shutter for controlling the exposures embodyingtwo relatively movable parts cooperating in set position to interruptllght from the lens, one of said members being movable to cover the saidscreen and'begin the exposure. 1

22. The combination with a camera casing having a lens therein andadapted to position a sensitized medium in cooperative relationtherewith, and a screen arranged inthe casing out of line with the axisof the lens, of a shutter for controlling the ex-' posures embodying tworelatively movable parts cooperating in set position to interrupt lightfrom the lens, and one of which has a reflector thereon fordirecting therays from the lenson sald screen when the member is m i'ocusmgposition,and serving to cover or ceases of the sensitized medium when moved inexposing position.

23. The combination with a camera casing having a lens therein andadapted to position a sensitized medium in cooperative relationtherewith, and a screen arranged in the casing out of line with the axisof the lens, of a shutter for controlling the exposures embodyingrelatively movable members 00- operating in set position to interruptlight from the lens and movable transversely to the axis of the lens,and a reflector on one of said members for directing an image from thelens on said screen when said member is in focusing position, andserving to begin the exposure and to move out of the field of the lens.

24. The combination with a camera casing having a lens therein andadapted to contain a sensitized medium in optical relation to the lens,and a screen arranged in the casing out of line with the optical axisofthe lens, of a spring-operated member serving to prevent exposure ofthe sensitized medium and having a reflector thereon adapted to directthe -to expose the sensitized medium and to remove said deflector fromthe optlcal field,

and a relatively movable means cooperating with said member forterminating the exposure.

25. The combination with a camera casing having a lens therein andadapted to contain a sensitized medium in optical relation to the lens,and a screen arranged in the casing out of line with the optical axis ofthe lens, of a member mounted to swing transversely to the axis of thelens and having a reflector thereon for directing an image from the lensupon said screen, means for moving said member to focusing and exposingpositions, and a shutter member cooperating with said first mentionedmember for controlling the exposure of the sensitized medium.

26. The combination with acamera casing having a lens therein andadapted to contain a sensitized medium in optical relation to the lens,and a screen arranged in the casing out of line with the optical axis ofthe lens, of a of line with the optical axis of the lens, of a memberhaving a reflector thereon and pivoted to swing the latter into focusingand exposing positions a spring normally operating to move said memberout of the field of the lens, a setting device for moving the saidmember into focusing position, and a pivoted detent arranged to swingparallel to the plane of movement of said member and arranged to holdthe latter in focusing position, a portion on the detent being arrangedto be engaged by said setting device and thereby operated to release thesaid member.

28. In a camera, the combination with a camera casing having a lenstherein and adapted to contain a suitably'positioned sensitized medium,of a frame, cooperating ribs and depressions on said frame and thecamera casing and devices for detachably fastening said frame to thecasing, a focusing screen and bellows carried by the frame and a coverfor the bellows hinged to the frame.

CHARLES E. HUTCHINGS.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. ROBERTSON, CLARENCE/A. BATEMAN.

